Chandrashila Trek
Overview
Description
Chandrashila is a window into Himalaya's spring color vibrancy. A well-loved trek for mountain hikers of all kinds, this trek flourishes with blossoms, especially rhododendrons red and pink, in the summertime, while winters are a hazy shade with enough scopes to have a ball in spilling snow. The whole tour covers a swoop to the Chandrashila Peak, passing by the enchanting Deoriatal lakeside, and opens up a gallery of stunning snow peaks all the way. This 5-day plan is unmatched in natural beauty, exhilarating challenges, time-efficiency, and convenience. You could be a nature treasurer, bird watching amateur, or a shutterbug with a dream of capturing the drama in the highlands; Chandrashila is a trek for all and fails none.
The first big stop on the trek comes with Deoriatal, situated at a good height of 7,800 feet; the lake is gripped with forests all around. At a short distance ahead, the Chaukhamba massif glistens, and the reflection of it seems in the crystal-like waters of the lake. Camping here the first night under a stardusted sky makes the mellowest of memories on a trek. Next up on the line of visual ecstasies are the extensive meadows that turn to snowfields along the way to Chopta. These stellar features of the Garhwal Himalayas promise to get more elucidated from the zenith of Chandrashila, so the motivation is never lost, and one goes on until the end of the summit stretch at the Tungnath temple.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Drive from Haridwar to Sari village
- Our tour guide/trek leader will expect you at Haridwar railway station at 6:30 in the morning. You can arrange an overnight bus journey from Delhi, reaching Haridwar in the morning or reach a day before the trek commences. Haridwar-Rishikesh by the Ganges is a famous site on the pilgrim trail of Uttarakhand. You can spend your time in Rishikesh immersing in cultural activities and adventure sports in the choppy waters of Ganga. We can pick you up alternatively from Rishikesh as well, and after picking you up, travel to sari begins.
- From this point to Sari village is a journey of 7-8 hours. Take in the beautiful vista of lower Garhwal Himalayas as the drive turns uphill. The most picturesquely notable stop on the way will be at "Devaprayag - A town marking the gorgeous confluence of Alakananda and Bhagirathi." The river will keep you company throughout, reaching you at Sari by 6:00 in the evening.
- The village is a pretty picture composed of little houses sketched across a mountain backdrop and lined with green patches of agricultural fields. If you are missing any minor requisite for the journey ahead, visit Sari's market area; you might find something useful.
Day 2 - Trek from Sari village to Deoriatal
- The trek on the first day is easy with mixed ascent and descent. A well-defined rocky trail will show you to the end, from where the Chandrashila summit is clearly visible, and the Tunganath temple is a speck of color. Soon, you will reach the Forest Department built resting stop. Clocked timely by your Trek Leader, you can afford a 20 minutes break here. An excellent view the way of the mountain fall waits here.
- We go steadily up. At 7,434 ft., village localities vanish from sight. Nearly 20 minutes from this point, we will be standing with the waters of Deoriatal glistening down a lurching gentle slope.
- A grand vista of Chaukhamba massifs is unveiled in the background of the lake. It will be mid-noon by the time you reach the spot. Wait for the morning when the cloud cover lifts and diamond-crushed sunlight elucidate the outlines of Chaukhamba, making for the ultimate striking frame. A paradise for bird-watchers and nature lovers. Hot lunch on this day will be served on reaching our lakeside camp in Deorital.
Day 3 - Trek from Deoriatal to Baniyakund through Rohini Bugyal
- Today's trail will familiarize you more with the Chaukhamba massif and Mount Kedar summit, rising closely as you process. The track is sprinkled with little shrines that stand out in the greenness by the red and yellow flags tied on them. After crossing a clearing in the forest-lined with scarlet blossoms, we are directly ushered up an ascending path towards Rohini Bugyal and Chopta.
- A resplendent view of the Chandrashila awaits on the other side of the forest margin. After the level-land, you will have to re-enter the forest now characterized with old oaks and maple beside the rhododendrons. This forms part of the Kedarnath Sanctuary, and with some luck, trekkers can spot red fox and other small wild animals.
- Twenty-five minutes of more trekking in the Kedarnath Sanctuary trail will lead you to the Bhagdwal temple. You can find the way bending from here to Bisuri Tal lake and a small tarn named Nandikund, situated at the base of Kala Parvat.
- Further down, as you progress, a silvery rivulet coming from Chandrashila meets your way. Here, you can fill your water supplies and move on by taking a small wooden bridge on the stream.
- A little way up, the meadows start. Here, you will find a cluster of huts. Shepards from local villages come here to graze their livestock. In this area, by the Chopta Village neighborhood, we have our campsite at a clearing in the forests.
Day 4 - Trek from Baniyakund to Tungnath then Chandrashila Peak and Back to Baniyakund
- We commence the hike today early morning. The trek runs on a well-defined concrete-bound trail from Chopta to the temple. Today, the hike will be filled with steep climbing challenges with sharp turns to cross by.
- There will be other shrines on the way, of which a particular temple with a flagpole is notable. From Tungnath, you will also get a clear vision of a connecting peak to Chandrashila.
- In the winters, you will find snow from here. The 11th bend marks the entryway to Tungnath, above which the splendid Chandrashila peak towers at 12,083 ft.
- At the end of a steep and arduous climb, you will reach the summit and witness a 360-degree enchanting view of the Garhwal and Kumaon mountains welcomingly lying ahead.
- Notable peaks in this panorama of grandeur are—Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nandaghunti, Dronagiri, Chaukhamba, and Kedar. Glimpses of the Thalaysagar and Gangotri ranges, too, could be made out at the edges.
- The downhill journey is relatively less time consuming and smoother. It will take you about 3 hours to climb down to the Baniyakund campsite.
Day 5 - Baniyakund to Haridwar
- A ride back from the Chopta road head to Haridwar is scheduled for day 5. After this 7 hour journey full of mellow reminisces of the hills, you will be reaching Haridwar in the evening. An overnight journey to Delhi will hopefully work out best.
Accommodation 
Meals (Veg/Egg) 
Permits & Fees 
Trekking Gears : Hiking gaiter, Micro spikes, Trekking pole 
Professional trek leader & highly experienced staff 
Medical facility & oxygen cylinder 
Porters and mules to carry camping equipment's 
Transport from Haridwar to Sari and back 
Camping Mules or porter to carry personal luggage Personal Expenses 
Meals During Transit 
Traveler's Insurance How To Reach
The Crazy Mountaineers is the seller of this event. View profile
- Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch.
- In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by the seller.
- The seller holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice.
- Normally the seller expects to carry your personal luggage on your own; if you wish to offload your backpack, you can give it to Mule. Charges of offloading backpack:-
Cancellations prior to 24 days from the start of the trek
Book any other trek till one year or get 95% refund.
(Note: If the trek charges are more, the balance needs to be paid by the trekker)
Cancellation between 24 days and 14 days to the start of the trek
Choose to go for the same trek, with any other batch, till a year or get 70% refund.
Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the trek
Choose to go on the same trek, in the same season, with any other batch, or get 50% refund.
Cancellation less than 10 days to the start of the trek
Transfer your trek (same trek, same batch) to your friend. No cash refund.
Note:-
- INR 1500/- if you make an online payment, 10 days in advance.
- INR 1800/- if you inform us after reaching Sankri.
The backpack cannot weigh more than 11 kgs. The backpack should have a waterproof cover. Suitcases/strolleys/bags will not be allowed.
- Any refund applicable will be processed within 14 business days.
- Any refund claims need to be done within 15 days of the date of travel
Advisory